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Pathogens
Special Issues
Updates on Pediatric Infectious Diseases
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Updates on Pediatric Infectious Diseases

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2024) | Viewed by 9207

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Claudia Colomba

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G D’Alessandro”, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Interests: infectious diseases; infections; pediatrics; childhood; children; infants

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Infectious diseases present unique challenges at a pediatric age due to children’s immunological immaturity, environmental exposure, and the specific pathogens affecting them.

Infections in childhood often lead to peculiar clinical manifestations different to those typical of adulthood, complexifying diagnosis. Additionally, considering children’s major consumption of antimicrobial agents and their vulnerability to infections, the rising issue of antimicrobial resistance is of utmost importance in this demographic.

Research at the intersection of pediatrics and infectious diseases often provides valuable insights int the importance of the social determinants of health and global health inequalities, crucial factors to consider in terms of disease management and prevention.

This Issue aims to explore these complexities, emphasizing the multidisciplinary nature inherent to this field. We encourage the submission of case reports, reviews and original research articles, encompassing all aspects of infectious diseases in childhood, spanning from clinical–epidemiological features to diagnostic procedures, therapeutic approaches and vaccination strategies.

Prof. Dr. Claudia Colomba
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • infectious diseases
  • infections
  • pediatrics
  • childhood
  • children
  • infants
  • antimicrobial resistance
  • vaccines
  • COVID-19
  • SARS CoV2
  • tuberculosis
  • BCG
  • anthropozoonoses
  • leishmania
  • migration
  • migrants
  • immigrants

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 2874 KiB  
Article
Kinetics of RPR Decline in Pregnant Persons Treated for Syphilis in Pregnancy and Their Infants
by Danielle Schwartz, Alena Tse-Chang, Joan Robinson, Jennifer Gratrix, Petra Smyczek and Michael T. Hawkes
Pathogens 2024, 13(11), 1010; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13111010 - 17 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 957
Abstract
Congenital syphilis is a re-emerging infectious threat in areas of North America. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively describe the rate of decline of nontreponemal (rapid plasma reagin, RPR) titers in pregnant persons with syphilis and their infants. In a retrospective [...] Read more.
Congenital syphilis is a re-emerging infectious threat in areas of North America. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively describe the rate of decline of nontreponemal (rapid plasma reagin, RPR) titers in pregnant persons with syphilis and their infants. In a retrospective review, we included 120 pregnant persons with 563 reactive RPR measurements (median 5, range 2 to 11 per person) and 35 infants with 81 RPR measurements (median 2, range 2 to 6 per infant). First-order decay, second-order decay, and a mathematical model representing functional FcRn-mediated antibody recycling were fitted to individual patient RPR trajectories. The RPR titers decreased with a median half-life of 39 days (IQR 28–59) and 27 days (IQR 17–41) in birthing parents and infants, respectively. The half-life varied with the initial RPR titer, suggesting that the kinetics of RPR decline was not first-order. A mathematical model accounting for saturable antibody recycling explained the longevity of RPR reactivity, predicted the observed non-linear kinetics, and fit the empiric data well. In summary, RPR titers decline with a half-life of roughly one month; however, the elimination does not follow first-order kinetics. Saturable antibody recycling may explain the prolonged and non-linear elimination of nontreponemal antibodies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Pediatric Infectious Diseases)
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Review

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15 pages, 1226 KiB  
Review
Preventing RSV Infection in Children: Current Passive Immunizations and Vaccine Development
by Pius I. Babawale, Iván Martínez-Espinoza, Alaine’ M. Mitchell and Antonieta Guerrero-Plata
Pathogens 2025, 14(2), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14020104 - 21 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1530
Abstract
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory tract infection and lower respiratory tract infection, associated with high morbidity and mortality in young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Initial attempts to develop an RSV vaccine in the 1960s [...] Read more.
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory tract infection and lower respiratory tract infection, associated with high morbidity and mortality in young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Initial attempts to develop an RSV vaccine in the 1960s were faced with a setback due to the enhanced RSV disease developed by vaccinated children. More recent advancements have led to the generation of RSV vaccines for older adults and pregnant women. However, there are still no commercially available RSV vaccines for infants. This work summarizes the current passive immunizations and the ongoing efforts to develop an RSV vaccine for infants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Pediatric Infectious Diseases)
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18 pages, 347 KiB  
Review
Invasive Candida Infections in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: Risk Factors and New Insights in Prevention
by Niki Dermitzaki, Maria Baltogianni, Efrosini Tsekoura and Vasileios Giapros
Pathogens 2024, 13(8), 660; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13080660 - 6 Aug 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2472
Abstract
Invasive Candida infections represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), with a particular impact on preterm and low-birth-weight neonates. In addition to prematurity, several predisposing factors for Candida colonization and dissemination during NICU hospitalization have been [...] Read more.
Invasive Candida infections represent a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), with a particular impact on preterm and low-birth-weight neonates. In addition to prematurity, several predisposing factors for Candida colonization and dissemination during NICU hospitalization have been identified, including prolonged exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics, central venous catheters, parenteral nutrition, corticosteroids, H2 antagonist administration, and poor adherence to infection control measures. According to the literature, the implementation of antifungal prophylaxis, mainly fluconazole, in high-risk populations has proven to be an effective strategy in reducing the incidence of fungal infections. This review aims to provide an overview of risk factors for invasive Candida infections and current perspectives regarding antifungal prophylaxis use. Recognizing and reducing people’s exposure to these modifiable risk factors, in conjunction with the administration of antifungal prophylaxis, has been demonstrated to be an effective method for preventing invasive candidiasis in susceptible neonatal populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Pediatric Infectious Diseases)

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

7 pages, 1453 KiB  
Case Report
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring-Guided Linezolid Therapy for the Treatment of Multiple Staphylococcal Brain Abscesses in a 3-Month-Old Infant
by Anna Cascone, Maia De Luca, Raffaele Simeoli, Bianca Maria Goffredo, Laura Cursi, Costanza Tripiciano, Lorenza Romani, Stefania Mercadante, Martina Di Giuseppe, Francesca Ippolita Calo Carducci, Davide Luglietto, Paola Bernaschi and Laura Lancella
Pathogens 2025, 14(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14010004 - 27 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1157
Abstract
Brain abscesses are invasive infections of the central nervous system with a high level of treatment complexity especially in pediatric patients. Here, we describe a 3-month-old infant with multiple brain abscesses caused by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The patient was initially treated with [...] Read more.
Brain abscesses are invasive infections of the central nervous system with a high level of treatment complexity especially in pediatric patients. Here, we describe a 3-month-old infant with multiple brain abscesses caused by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The patient was initially treated with empirical antibiotics (ceftriaxone, metronidazole, vancomycin). Upon MSSA identification, therapy was optimized by switching vancomycin to linezolid to improve tissue penetration. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) was performed to check linezolid levels in the plasma and pus of the abscess, confirming drug penetration into brain tissue. A two-stage surgical drainage approach, consisting of repeated pus aspiration through an intracystic catheter, was then performed to achieve a significant reduction in abscess size. After nine weeks of antibiotic therapy, the patient was discharged in good clinical condition. This case highlights the role of linezolid for the treatment of complicated CNS infections and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, combining TDM-based antibiotic therapy with timely and eventually repeated surgery, in order to effectively treat brain abscesses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Pediatric Infectious Diseases)
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23 pages, 966 KiB  
Systematic Review
Tuberculous Pericarditis in Childhood: A Case Report and a Systematic Literature Review
by Laura Venuti, Anna Condemi, Chiara Albano, Giovanni Boncori, Valeria Garbo, Sara Bagarello, Antonio Cascio and Claudia Colomba
Pathogens 2024, 13(2), 110; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13020110 - 26 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2510
Abstract
Tuberculous pericarditis (TBP) is an important cause of pericarditis worldwide while being infrequent in childhood, especially in low-TB-incidence countries. We report a case of TBP and provide a systematic review of the literature, conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane to find cases [...] Read more.
Tuberculous pericarditis (TBP) is an important cause of pericarditis worldwide while being infrequent in childhood, especially in low-TB-incidence countries. We report a case of TBP and provide a systematic review of the literature, conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane to find cases of TBP in pediatric age published in the English language between the year 1990 and the time of the search. Of the 587 search results obtained, after screening and a backward citation search, 45 studies were selected to be included in this review, accounting for a total of 125 patients. The main signs and symptoms were fever, cough, weight loss, hepatomegaly, dyspnea, and increased jugular venous pressure or jugular vein turgor. A definitive diagnosis of TBP was made in 36 patients, either thanks to microbiological investigations, histological analysis, or both. First-line antitubercular treatment (ATT) was administered in nearly all cases, and 69 children underwent surgical procedures. Only six patients died, and only two died of TBP. TBP in childhood is relatively uncommon, even in high-TB-prevalence countries. Clinical manifestations, often suggestive of right-sided cardiac failure, are subtle, and diagnosis is challenging. TBP has an excellent prognosis in childhood; however, in a significant proportion of cases, invasive surgical procedures are necessary. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Updates on Pediatric Infectious Diseases)
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